Irving Pizza Gets Conditional Pass Despite Minor Violations

Irving Pizza in Nob Hill received a conditional pass on its health inspection, allowing the pizza restaurant to remain open while addressing several minor violations that require correction. The November 19 routine inspection found six violations, including two critical issues that have already been addressed. The Geary Street establishment, located near the Van Ness Muni station, can continue serving customers while working to resolve the remaining compliance issues. Inspector John Wells conducted this inspection between 4:30 PM and 5:30 PM, finding violations that are typical of routine maintenance and training needs rather than serious health hazards.

Critical Issues Already Resolved

The most significant violations involved temperature control problems that were corrected during the inspection. Ranch dressing was found at 52°F, tomatoes at 45°F, and other dressings between 49-50°F, all above the required safe temperatures. Multiple food items were immediately discarded to prevent any risk to customers, demonstrating the restaurant's commitment to food safety. A malfunctioning cooler was discovered operating at 45-55°F instead of the required temperature below 41°F. The restaurant immediately called for refrigeration repair, showing prompt response to equipment failures that could compromise food safety. These temperature violations, while critical, were addressed on-site with immediate corrective action.

Minor Violations Requiring Attention

The remaining violations center on staff training and facility maintenance. Employees were found to lack current food handler cards, a common compliance issue that can be easily resolved through certification programs. This represents a training gap rather than an immediate health risk, as the staff demonstrated proper food handling during the inspection. Handwashing facilities presented accessibility issues when inspectors found the sink obstructed by a charger and bucket, with paper towels missing from the restroom sink. These handwashing compliance issues require simple corrections to ensure staff can maintain proper hygiene standards throughout their shifts. Personal cleanliness violations were noted when personal items were found hanging on food shelves, creating potential contamination risks. Additionally, gaps were discovered between hood filters, requiring minor maintenance to ensure proper ventilation and grease capture in the kitchen area.

Restaurant Operations Continue

Despite these violations, Irving Pizza can continue normal operations while addressing the compliance issues. The conditional pass status allows restaurants to serve customers while working on corrections, typically requiring a follow-up inspection within 30 days to verify compliance. The Nob Hill location represents the restaurant's only inspection on record, making this their first health department evaluation. For a new establishment, the violations found are considered manageable and typical of restaurants working to establish consistent compliance procedures. Restaurant management, represented by owner company 2 E &M INC, has been cooperative with inspector recommendations. The prompt response to critical temperature violations demonstrates their commitment to maintaining food safety standards while addressing the minor operational issues identified during the inspection. Customers can continue dining at Irving Pizza with confidence that critical food safety issues have been resolved, while the restaurant works to perfect its compliance procedures and staff training programs.